Wen's African aid vow fails to allay international fears
Premier Wen Jiabao pledged yesterday to deliver on offers of increased aid to Africa, but said little to address international concerns about Beijing's diplomatic push on the continent.
Referring to a 'profound tradition of friendship', Mr Wen told the opening of the annual meeting of the African Development Bank that Beijing was sincere in its desire to help African countries.
The meeting in Shanghai marks the first time the regional bank meeting has been held in Asia and only the second time outside Africa.
'Africa needs to rely on itself to sustain development but international support and assistance are also indispensable. We call on the international community, developed countries in particular, to deliver on their pledged aid to Africa and take effective measures to reduce and cancel African debt,' Mr Wen said.
At a summit of African leaders in Beijing last year, China said it would double the level of assistance to Africa by 2009. Beijing has already cancelled 10.9 billion yuan of African debt and announced additional debt relief of more than 10 billion yuan.
'We will fully deliver on our commitments and are working with African countries to implement these measures,' Mr Wen said. 'I'm convinced that stronger Sino-African co-operation not only benefits the people of China and Africa but also contributes toward peace and development.'
Beijing has dealings with countries like Sudan and Zimbabwe, which are shunned by the international community. Critics have questioned its activities in the region, which they say are aimed at stripping natural resources, countering US influence and isolating Taiwan, which has diplomatic relations with a handful of African countries.
Health Minister Gao Qiang said in Geneva on Tuesday China would donate US$8 million to the World Health Organisation to fight disease in Africa, after the WHO's decision-making body voted to rule out discussion of the island's bid to join as a full member under the name Taiwan.
In response to criticism that Beijing's economic largesse could foster corruption, Mr Wen said China would improve transparency regarding assistance projects in Africa.
